To go with 'Climate-Warming-UN-COP21-India' by Annie Banerji
In this photograph taken on November 19, 2015, India's Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar gestures as he speaks during an interview with AFP at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan in New Delhi. India will urge rich nations to deliver 'climate justice' for developing countries at a major environmental conference in Paris later this month, the environment minister has said in an interview with AFP. Prakash Javadekar called on industrialised countries to commit to more stringent targets to free up 'carbon space' for the developing world to generate emissions as a necessary byproduct of growth. AFP PHOTO/Money SHARMA (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images)

PARIS -- India today hailed the adoption of a landmark climate change deal as a "historic day" which promises a "better future" and creates a "chapter of hope" in the lives of seven billion people.

Noting that the agreement acknowledges and recognises the development imperatives of India and other developing countries, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the accord also supported their right to development and their efforts to harmonise development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable.

"Today is a historic day. What we have adopted is not only an agreement but a new 'chapter of hope' in the lives of 7 billion people. Mahatma Gandhiji used to say that 'we have not inherited earth from our ancestors, but we have it on loan from future generations," Javadekar said.

"We have today reassured our future generation that we all together will mitigate the challenge posed by climate change and we will give them a better future," he said at the plenary session after the agreement was adopted.

Javadekar, however also said the agreement could have been more ambitious as the actions of developed nations are "far below" than their historical responsibilities and fair shares.

"The actions of developed countries are far below their historical responsibilities and fair shares. We have in the spirit of compromise agreed on a number of phrases in the agreement," he said.

Javadekar said the conference also witnessed the launch of the historic International Solar Alliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which he termed as "path breaking" in providing unprecedented boost to solar energy development.

He said that India was happy that the agreement has "unequivocally" acknowledged the imperative of climate justice, which reflects common sentiment and has based itself on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

"The agreement also acknowledges the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable consumption patterns.

We are also happy that the agreement differentiates between the actions of developed and developing countries across its elements," Javadekar said.

Noting that India has consistently said that the path to climate ambition must be paved with equity, he said that the accord has recognised it.

"While give and take is normal in negotiations, we are of the opinion that the agreement could have been more ambitious.

We share the concern of several friends that this agreement does not put us on the path to prevent temperature rise below 2 degrees," Javadekar said.